The Spring Board

Inside this Issue Volume 17, Issue 1 December, 2020

The Greatest Results By Jeff Hugo Paying Attention 5-7 But, initially that was not to be the case. He got his degree at FSU as Seasons Are A 8 an accountant. It wasn’t long af- Changing ter he and his wife Cindy moved to Tampa. There he worked for a Boat Days 9 large C.P.A. firm. As years past, it was on to Orlando and eventually Fort Lauderdale. A Swift Night Out 10 Along the way he did the little things. He learned more and Virtual Visits 11 more about his profession. He supported his family as he took on more and more responsibility. He learned to navigate the urban jun- Beach Bash 12 gles. But all the while, there was a part of him that felt like he was in Helping to Keep exile. Wakulla County 13 Beautiful By 2005, plans were laid for that exile to end. He and his wife Continued Restoration would move back to Tallahassee. 13-14 at Cherokee Sink They had come to love the area in “It’s the little things done on a their college years. Cindy would consistent basis that produce the teach in an area school and Char- Insect Intrigue: 14 greatest results.” Charlie Baisden lie would pursue his latent dream Bug Sex of becoming a ranger. It was a little thing. Charlie leant me Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia It began with little things. He had Fly Up the Chimney 14 Owens. He had a feeling that I would to choose a park. He chose enjoy it. He was right. Wakulla Springs. There was lots of visitation. There was lots of op- Service in Residence 15-16 The author wove together a compel- portunity for interpretation. ling narrative set along the North There was lots of potential to be Carolina coast and bays. Charlie con- outside and perhaps find a posi- In Memoriam: fessed that the setting reminded him tion. 16 Cary LaBounty of his childhood. He grew up in rural Live Oak and spent the summers with In October of 2010, though, there his grandparents along the Florida were no ranger positions to be Resource Management 17-18 coast. It forged a love for the out- had. Undaunted, Charlie did a News and Notes doors that never left him. little thing and became a volunteer. Charlie admitted in a 2010 interview, Joe’s Tree 19 “I always wanted to be a ranger.” Volume 17, Issue 1 Page 2

The Greatest Results By Jeff Hugo He immediately began learning the Florida to become a Master Nat- little things. He emptied the garbage uralist. He incorporated his cans and cleaned the bathrooms. He training into his river boat tours. greeted park guests as he received But he wanted to expand his in- their entrance fees. He picked up lit- terpretive offerings both inside ter and helped to maintain the park and outside of the park. grounds. During Literacy Month A part time (OPS) ranger position be- (September) and Fire Preven- came open a month after he began tion Month (October), Charlie volunteering. Charlie was thrilled to put together a program to visit be chosen for it. He would now learn area second graders and read to captain the river boat tours. He The Story of Smokey Bear. He would also guide the often hectic wa- also talked about fire safety at terfront and the boat tour schedule. home and how the park service uses fire as a tool to keep habi- Charlie leading a By the summer of 2012 a full-time tats healthy and to prevent wild- Morning Nature park ranger position became availa- fires. Walk. ble. Charlie would be the perfect fit. His Tree Habitats program Charlie saw a park need which he en- showed students through hands- visioned filling. The landscaping on on examples the ways plants and park grounds needed attention. The animals find food, water, shelter azaleas and camelias had gone un- and living space in trees. pruned for many seasons. Their health was suffering. The beds Thanks to Charlie’s efforts, the around the lodge were unkempt and fourth grade students at Ft. needed attention. The butterfly gar- Braden Elementary were the den needed more plantings And the first classes to become Junior list went on. Rangers at Wakulla Springs. Charlie Baisden— Master Gardener. To offer the park landscape the best expertise possible, Charlie did another little thing (actually it was a major thing). Over the course of a year, he spent the 80 hours it took to become a Master Gardener.

The park afforded him the time and scheduling to complete the course. He did the rest. On the rare field days he had, he did a s much as he could to begin the process of rejuvenating the Wakulla Springs landscape. It would be an ongoing process over the course of years. Charlie with some proud Charlie teaching the Charlie also wanted to be the best in- Jr. Rangers at Fort Braden value of Tree Habi- Elementary. tats. terpreter he could be. He once again took courses with the University of Volume 17, Issue 1 Page 3

The Greatest Results By Jeff Hugo citizen support agency. He ac- tively worked to publicize the event.

When the event arrived, 50 people from the community ranging in age from toddlers to senior citizens participated in planting 1000 longleaf pine seedlings and 1000 wiregrass plugs. Each participant would feel a new connection and own- ership with the park thanks to the well organized and positive “On January 19, 2019, all of Charlie’s Master Gardener, experience allowing them to Master Naturalist and interpretive skills culminated in contribute to the future of one big event.” Wakulla Springs. The program eventually blos- with dinner offerings in the somed to include the fourth lodge. One focused on the art- Is it any wonder that Charlie graders at each of the four ele- work within the lobby while was awarded the 2018 District mentary schools in Wakulla another concentrated on the One Interpreter of the Year. County. structure itself. A third looked There had been a quiet parade at the advantages of using na- of little things from education, There were many programs tive plants for landscaping in- to practice, and on to planning Charlie created at the park as cluding a tour of the grounds and implementation that pro- well. Among his favorites were surrounding the lodge. pelled Charlie to a leadership the Morning Nature Walks. role at the park. During the late fall, winter, and On January 19, 2019, all of

spring months, Charlie would Charlie’s Master Gardener, lead groups into the forest via Master Naturalist and Inter- the Sally Ward Trail. Together, pretive skills culminated in they would discover the special one big event. The communi- elements of the unseen forest ty was invited to restore a endemic to each month. three acre site near the park’s administration building to He also led the Bike Ride to longleaf pine habitat. Hidden Spring. The spring is truly hidden out past the two Charlie started planning for bridges on the Sally Ward the event six months earlier. Trail. Charlie is one of the few He solicited and received as- who know the way. Fellow cy- sistance from the park biolo- clists would travel through sev- gist, staff members, and vol- eral different ecosystems creat- unteers. He reached out to ed by slight changes in eleva- other parks and agencies for tion. the materials he would need. Charlie was awarded the He gained the assistance and Charlie also developed three 2018 District One Inter- programs which were paired financial support of the park's preter of the Year. Volume 17, Issue 1 Page 4

The Greatest Results By Jeff Hugo

“On January 19, 2019, all of Charlie’s Master Gardener, Master Naturalist and interpretive skills culminated in one big event.”

The muhly grass at the park entrance screams, “Come see this amazing park!” He was a staff member that others turned to for training and advice. He was also leader for volunteers who showed up to assist him to trim, prune, and spruce-up the park grounds. He led by example, always eager to assist and go the extra mile.

A beautiful legacy Charlie leaves the park is a stunning planting of muhly grass at the park’s entrance. The blooming native grass screams, “Come see this amazing park.”

Charlies’ career at Wakulla Springs reflects his remarks from a few months ago. “Often times it’s the little things done on a consistent basis that produce the greatest results…. I appreciate the help of our entire staff and the generous time of volunteers in accomplishing these projects.”

And we appreciate you, Charlie, and the greatest results.

L to R: Charles Lorch volunteers pruning a camelia. The Wakulla County Garden Club dresses up around the Dogwood Pavilion. BB&T Volunteers lead the beautification efforts on the Lodge’s west-side . Volume 17, Issue 1 Page 5

Paying Attention By Amy Conyers Photos courtesy Amy Conyers

We do have one distinct change though, and that is in our visitation at the park. With the final summer holiday, the switch is flipped, and our summer swimmers are replaced with winter walkers. There are fewer visitors in the cooler months and they have a different focus.

They aren’t headed to the spring to cool off, they are headed to the spring to catch a glimpse of manatees. They are looking for a nice hike through the woods. They are looking for migratory birds on the river or in the forest. They are looking for something new to learn and discover. They WANT to have a conversation with a Park Ranger!

With the shift in visitation comes a shift in job duties as well. With cooler weather and There is fall color on the Ferrell Property with wild- fewer visitors comes projects. flowers in abundance. We have been busy checking off the items from the lengthy To- When I moved to Florida in and sun that they do up North. Do list. With the extra field 2004 from the frozen North, it Instead we gracefully cool time this spring when the park was a bit of an adjustment. My with a strong breeze. We do was closed to visitors, we were first year was full of acclima- see some trees turn to yellow able to keep up with much of tion, learning about my new or red, but they are surround- our facility maintenance and surroundings, and “helpful” ed in shades of green from the the usually backlogged list was advice like ‘just wait until the trees that retain their leaves. not as intimidating this year. summer humidity’ and ‘oh The To-Do list is never done you’ll miss the change in sea- We don’t have to wait until though. sons’. Through the years spring for flowers, our fall has though, I found that the people wildflowers in abundance! I We have completed a board- who thought that there was no love the purple spires and yel- walk project; we have renovat- change in seasons just weren’t low clumps standing out in the ed the Lodge parking lot. We paying attention. browning wiregrass of a pine have replaced the Lodge gener- forest. I love to see another ator and repaved the side en- One thing that I like most batch of butterflies, monarchs trance. We have repaired about Florida is the subtlety in on their migration path or sul- boats, cleaned boats, and pres- the changes in the natural phurs carefully depositing sure washed sidewalks. We world around us. We don’t see their eggs. I think we even see have refenced the Ferrell Tract the hard swings between snow more deer this time of year. Volume 17, Issue 1 Page 6

Paying Attention By Amy Conyers wakullasprings.org to see re- cordings of previous programs, sign up for the next talk, or participate in a Virtual Visit activity.

I was also happy to help lead some tours for the Wakulla Springs Alliance on the new Ferrell Tract Property. While we are still in the planning phase for that property, we are able to provide some limited, guided access. On two different, beautiful fall days, I led a caravan of visitors in their Sidewalks have been pressure cleaned. own vehicles to see a few of the impressive features on the and have more fence repairs The boat tours aren’t the only property. Masked and distant planned. programs we’re doing though! at each stop along the way, we were fortunate to have Cal Perhaps the most celebrated The Friends of Wakulla Jamison share his history and change for visitors and staff was Springs have started an online knowledge of the property and the return of the boat tours and speaker series. So far, they the aquifer below. a few park programs. The boat have had terrific talks via tours have seen many changes Zoom from Jim Stevenson, We have faced so many chal- with their return. We are not Bob Deyle and Casey McKin- lenges this year. Each and currently selling tickets daily ley as well as music from Hot every one of us. It’s hard to from the waterfront. Now park Tamale and even some spooky know what comes next most visitors can plan their visit in story telling! More talks are days. As we head into the advance thanks to the coopera- coming as they have just been Holiday season, we have expe- tion and assistance of the awarded a grant to provide ad- rienced loss and distance that Lodge. Their existing software ditional speakers. Visit the will make this year very differ- allowed a quick shift to a reser- Friends’ webpage at ent from years’ past. We do vation-based system. We had a bit of a learning curve, but through great communication and teamwork, we are serving our visitors and getting them on the river again.

While we can’t get as many people on the boats to accommo- date social distancing, those that do go, have a great experience. With fewer people on the boat, there are better views and more interaction with the guide. We have repaved the side entrance. Volume 17, Issue 1 Page 7

Paying Attention By Amy Conyers

Mom and the twins enjoy a day in the park have much to be thankful for though. Our Wakulla family has gotten even closer as we support each other (from a safe distance) and work together. We are cel- ebrating our small victories, every chance we get. We are taking time to find the silver lining and learn new things. We are doing what we have always done in the Park Service, we are using what we have and our creativity to overcome obstacles and get the job done.

I’m always trying to pay attention. Please know how much I am thankful for where I am and who I work with. . It is always my goal to support you all and give you the tools you need to do your jobs. It is always my experience that you all give me back that support tenfold. Our talks, our triumphs over challenges, our brainstorming sessions, and our laughs are the fuel that I need to keep me Masked and physically distanced, participants going. I am thankful for my Wakulla enjoy a Ferrell Property tour. family every day. Volume 17, Issue 1 Page 8

Seasons Are a Changing By John Melton and the swim area is now once boardwalk. I feel very fortunate again “swim at your own risk” to be a part of this awesome as our lifeguards have finished team. Getting it done in District up their summer duties. One! One of our lifeguards has At our newest land acquisition, crossed over to a regular OPS the Ferrell Tract the yellow False ranger position. Please wel- Foxglove flowers around some of come Ethan Whaley to our the sinks have just about faded Ranger team. I am happy to for the season. Black bears have have Ethan aboard as we are been sighted ambling around about to lose one of our full- and you might notice that the time rangers. old white wooden fence along Hwy 61 has been replaced with a Yellow foxglove in bloom Ranger Charlie Baisden is retir- new field wire fence. Florida on the Ferrell Property. ing. Charlie is a great asset to Park planning has made an ini- the park and as the landscaping Seasons are a changing. The tial visit to the tract, so we are lead he has over his time here Manatee have returned to just a little closer to opening this really made a difference in the Wakulla Springs! Manatees karst gem to the public. Stay overall beauty of the park. His are spotted in the river year tuned! high grade of interpretive skills around but when the weather will be missed. Most recently A wise person once stated: “The turns chilly like the last few Ranger Charlie took the lead on only constant is change”. In the days, we see a lot more of planning and planting the grass life of a ranger that is one of the them in the warmer-than-air landscaping of the Lodge park- most exciting things about what waters of the spring. This ing lot with Fakahatchee Grass, we do. Sure the “day to day” time of year, you stand a Muhly Grass and sod. Charlie might seem mundane from time much better chance of seeing has left us some big shoes to fill to time; but there is always manatee from the observation for sure, but you will see him something new and challenging tower. You may also see man- again after a while. Charlie will here at Wakulla Springs! Come atee from our river boat likely fill a part time grounds on out and spend some time tours! Yes! As of October 5th, position here in the future. with us. From Boat tours to For- 2020, the famous historic est Bathing (Google it!) we have Wakulla Springs River Boat Field maintenance is forever something for everyone. Enjoy! tours have returned. Limited and ongoing. We have accom- seating available. You may plished many things since the purchase tickets at https:// last Issue of The Springboard. thelodgeatwakullasprings.co You might have noticed the new m/plan-your-trip/jungle- pavement at the Hwy. 61 park cruise/ or by calling 850-421- entrance. There is fresh paint 2000. on the Limpkin tour boat, a newly planted memorial tree, The spring and waterfront ar- boardwalk repairs and water eas of the park have slowed heater replacement. The Rang- down a good bit due to the er Team at Wakulla Springs is cooling weather and the Cher- unbeatable! Next time you take okee Sink Nature Trail has Collin and Phil work on im- a hike on our nature trail, notice reopened. Our Summer swim proving the trailhead the new look of the trail head boardwalk. season has come to an end Volume 17, Issue 1 Page 9

Boat Days by Jeff Hugo Photos by Jeff Hugo The call went out to the humid summer, were brought Friends of Wakulla Springs back to a like-new luster with State Park. The River Tour plenty of elbow grease. Boat Limpkin needed some work. Extra sets of helping The rotting blue 2X4 bumper hands were requested to make guards surrounding the boat a daunting job accomplishable. were removed and discarded. New pressure treated lumber The Limpkin had last been re- was primed, painted and in- furbished in late winter and stalled. early spring of 2010. It was the first river boat to have a com- The exterior of the boat was plete overhaul. pressure washed. Extensive pitting due to electrolysis was After over 10 years of scorching discovered. It would need to sun, drenching rains, intense be a maintenance issue to be humidity, and countless visi- resolved at a future date. A tors on thousands of tours, the powder coating of the exterior Limpkin needed some tender would also be required at loving care. some future date.

Park Ranger Kat Wilson was More scrubbing went on in the happy to ensure that she got it. boats interior. The decking Even with Park Ranger Phil was brought back to a bright Pouliot's assistance, it would finish. The blue ceiling and take days to get everything side panels were scrubbed done. clean. The engine compart- ment and hull were given a As a result, a plan was set in sound once over as well. motion to get the needed cleaning done in three days We can’t thank the dedicated with the help of volunteers. volunteers from the Friends The Friends board thought it enough for making the daunt- would be a great idea to ask the ing effort a successful reality. membership for their assistance. TOP TO BOTTOM On the unseasonably comforta- ble days of September 21, 22, Jody Walthall and Kat and 23, they came. On the first Wilson discuss the re- day, the seats were removed to placement of the bumper provide easy access for clean- boards. ing the boat’s interior. The Life vests are once again back and undersides of the spotless. seats needed to be pressure Diane, Carol, and Brian washed. Once completed, painstakingly remove brown paint on the aluminum paint from the aluminum frames was painstakingly re- seat legs. moved. Jody paints the bumper boards. Simultaneously, the life vests, Jack and Lori Richard- which had become overgrown son clean the interior. with mildew thanks to the hot Volume 17, Issue 1 Page 10

A Swift Night Out By Jeff Hugo Photos by Nick Baldwin and Jeff Hugo long day of catching insects. He also sang a song about the elusive limpkin and another one about the wildlife on the river. It proved to be a great way to introduce the event.

In fact, quite a few of the people in attendance had come to enjoy a special dinner and stay op- tion provided by the lodge. For $44, a couple could enjoy a plated fried chicken or fried shrimp dinner. For an extra $95 they could rest in the Nick Baldwin same building with the swifts and enjoy a hearty breakfast in the morning. No need to scurry home. Over the course of the last decade, A Swift Night Out has seen its share of challenges. Usually the Following Collin’s musical introduction, Park Bi- temperature is in the mid to uppers 80’s and the ologist Patty Wilbur filled in the physically dis- humidity can be classified as Florida Sauna. With tanced participants with swift information. showers and thunderstorms occurring throughout They could keep track of their facts in the jour- the day, Saturday, September 12 would not be nals provided. much different. Park Services Specialist Jeff Hugo briefly re- A severe thunderstorm had rolled through at viewed the swift data, helped everyone complete 4:30pm taking out an old pine snag across the weather conditions, and prepared them for what street from the administration building. The snag to expect. fell a hair’s breadth from a fire hydrant and blocked the park drive to the lodge. Park staff By 7:55 about 30 people were outside in the park- was quickly on it and had the road cleared in less ing lot staring up at the first chimney swifts be- than 30 minutes. ginning to arrive. By 8:02pm the first swift de- scended into the lodge’s fireplace chimney. It Unlike Swift Night Out 2012 when no birds wasn’t long and the circling mass began to enter showed up due to incessant rain (they probably the chimney in clumps of between five and ten had the good sense to go to roost early), it looked birds. By 8:10pm the last bird had gone to roost. like things would clear up for the program which began at 7:30pm. Of the group counting the roosting birds, no one counted exactly the same number. The number There would be no cancellation as there was in of birds each team of two or three recorded was 2017 due to Hurricane Irma. The show would go collected and averaged. The average for 2020 on, or at least we hoped. was 194.

This year’s wrinkle was the need to make accom- modations for physical distancing. Plan ‘A’ was to space people out in the lodge parking lot with the use of a sound system to amplify the event’s speakers.

Electronics and water do not mix well. Plan ‘B’ was to hold the musical and informative sections of the program under amplification inside the lobby of the lodge.

Yes, there was music. Park Ranger Collin Johnson had written a special song for the event. It was about the chimney swifts coming to rest after a Volume 17, Issue 1 Page 11

Friends Go Virtual By Jeff Hugo with the Specter of Wakulla Springs. It’s a fun way to glimpse some of the stranger experiences of lodge guests. Casey McKinlay, cave diver, leads followers on an under- world exploration of the Wakulla Springs Cave System. It’s a rare opportunity to visit where few have gone. Changing obstacles to oppor- spent a lifetime working to safe- If you want to know about tunities has been a theme for guard and maintain the park America’s alligators tune in on both the park and its citizens system’s natural resources. He December 10. Author Doug support organization the also diligently strove to empow- Alderson will titillate viewers Friends of Wakulla Springs er and encourage the park sys- with both the facts and rich State Park over the past nine tem to tell its story through ef- fiction surrounding “America’s months. fective interpretation to all with Alligators”. If you miss the live whom it would come in contact. With the initial park closure in presentation on December 10, Even in retirement, Jim contin- you can always visit the web- March, park staff turned lem- ues to spread the word regard- ons into lemonade by complet- site and enjoy it on a later ing the stresses being placed up- date. ing both maintenance and re- on Florida’s phenomenal source management projects. springs. Having a bad day? Need a few As the park reopened to lower minutes to regroup? Then join density activities in mid-May, His September presentation on the Wakulla River Adventure park staff could once again the Wakulla Springshed is and July 2020. The unique video conduct roving interpretation will continue to be available for footage along with former park with a renewed emphasis on anyone to enjoy by visiting ranger Robert Thompson's visitor and staff safety. https://wakullasprings.org/ phenomenal photos will take virtual-visits. With deliberations on how to you to a better place. best and most safely conduct In mid-September, the musical Kids can virtually enjoy the river boat tours continuing group Hot Tamale used the Wakulla Springs as well. They through the summer, the backdrop of the Wakulla River can download printable scav- Friends of Wakulla Springs to “Sing for the Springs”. The enger hunts and journals and State Park came up with an wonderful performance by local take a walk in the woods, ride ambitious plan to continue artists Craig Reeder and Adrian the river, or visit a rarely seen connecting visitors to the Fogelin is available to enjoy at part of the park—the cypress park’s story. From September www.wakullasprings.org. dome. The printable items can through December the Friends also be brought to the park on planned and executed six vir- FSU Professor Emeritus Bob Deyle’s presentation regarding a real-life visit for an enhanced tual programs on a wide varie- experience. ty of topics and venues. wildlife trends on the Wakulla River is also available on the There are so many opportuni- In September the series began Friend’s website. The Spooky ties with more to come. Some- with a Zoom presentation fea- Springs episode puts viewers in times it takes obstacles to turing Jim Stevenson. Jim touch with Mr. Ball’s wife along bring out the best in us. Volume 17, Issue 1 Page 12

Beach Bash 2020 By Jeff Hugo Photos by Barbara Wilson and Jeff Hugo

It certainly looked like a Beach Bash this year. There were beach umbrellas set up on the beach. Eight foot banquet tables had two small parties of 3 or less on op- posite ends. The tables were spaced at least six feet from one another. Tiki torches signaled the festivities.

Park Ranger Bruce Graybeal serenaded the crowd with his easy-listening standards along with one of his own creation. Park Ranger Colin Johnson followed with his songs about the river and its creatures. Even the vultures came to listen in.

The lodge provided food in decorated to-go boxes. Marieanne Luber adorned the boxes with nature-related themes.

Madeleine Carr, the event’s coordinator, spoke briefly to the guests about the Friends 26-year history of park support along with encouraging everyone to enjoy virtual opportunities provided by the Friend’s website.

It was gratifying to see the capacity crowd of forty plus people enjoying a beautiful evening at Wakulla Springs.

(Clockwise) “It certainly looked like a Beach Bash this year.”

The black vultures showed up as if on cue for Park Ranger Colin Johnson’s song about them.

Linda Hall’s River Creatures were present to brighten the festivities.

A crowd of 40+ people enjoyed the physically distanced event.

Do you know these people?

Park Ranger Bruce Graybeal serenaded the crowd. Volume 17, Issue 1 Page 13

Helping to Keep Wakulla County Beautiful By Jackie Turner Photos by Jackie Turner

Sat 2020, Keep Wakulla County Beautiful (KWCB) coordinated volunteer teams throughout the county including at Wakulla Springs State Park (WSSP).

KWCB reported having 309 volunteers, who removed 5.2 tons of litter! At WSSP, fourF- riends members and two park resident volunteers cleaned up the Friends adopted section of Wakulla Springs Rd and removed 180 lbs. For WHS NJROTC, 10 cadets and 2 faculty advi- sors and their wives cleaned up the Friends adopted section of Shadeville Rd and removed “Four Friends members and two park res- 250 lbs. ident volunteers cleaned up the Friends adopted section of Wakulla Springs Rd The Wakulla Springs section leads to the and removed 180 lbs. of litter.” Shadeville section that crosses the river (Upper Bridge). Both are in the immediate watershed International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) is the larg- of the Wakulla River. Removing the litter est one-day volunteer event dedicated to clean- along these roads helps to protect the forest ing up our rivers and oceans and is held on the wildlife in park and the aquatic wildlife in 3rd Saturday in September. ICC is sponsored by Wakulla River. And for a moment the area Ocean Conservancy, whose staff started the an- was beautiful… nual event in 1986 with a beach cleanup. On 19

Continued Restoration at Cherokee Sink By Jackie Turner Photos by Jackie Turner

Started in 1994, National Public Lands Day (NPLD) in the largest one-day volunteer service dedicated to giving back to our public lands and is held on the 4th Saturday in September. On 26 Sept 2020, volunteers were giving back to Wakulla Springs State Park. Four Friends members and 2 park resident volunteers continued restoration efforts at Cherokee Sink.

Volunteers planted Smilax vines that were ob- tained from another area of the park (funny Smi- lax are not listed in plant catalogs). The prickly plants were placed on the southern edge of the sink in a user-created access point with a large area of exposed soil. Planting was followed by brushing with tree branches. The Smilax vines were then woven into brush with the hope that their continued growth through the branches will On National Public Lands Day, volun- form a significant barrier along the water’s edge. teers built fences and trimmed vegeta- tion at Cherokee Sink. Volume 17, Issue 1 Page 14

Continued Restoration at Cherokee Sink By Jackie Turner Photos by Jackie Turner

Since 2015, Friends members and others have been spending NPLD at Cherokee Sink to assist with restoration work. Their efforts have included planting trees and Smilax on the banks of the sinkhole, brushing in user-created access trails and installing fencing to block entry to those user- created water entry points. In addition, they helped protect wildlife by cleaning up an old dump site and planted blueberry bushes to provide food for bumble bees and other pollinators. Their NPLD volunteer service has helped to reduce erosion into the sink, improved the trail around the sink, helped protect wildlife and feed insects. Well done!

Insect Intrigue: Bug Sex By Jackie Turner Fly Up the Chimney By Jeff Hugo

In the tradition of the game Two Truths and a 'Twas October the fourteenth when all Lie, our park entomologist has a brain twister for through the lodge you. Two of the following statements are always Nothing was stirring, no unnecessary hodge- true. One is sometimes false. Can you discern the podge; truths from the occasional lie? See the last page The staff was arriving and starting their tasks, for the answer. In hopes to serve guests and all of their asks. A swift bird was nestled all snug on a ledge, The male Australian black widow performs While visions of insect snacks danced its “post-copulatory suicide.” After mating he rolls mind’s edge. into his mate’s fangs. The park biologist and her assistants dis- cussed the day’s work when crisis resounded Bed Bugs mate by means of traumatic insemina- courtesy the lodge clerk. tion. The male penetrates the female’s ab- “A bird or a bat? What could it be? Where is dominal wall. the biologist? Can she set it free?” People in green to the lobby soon came. But During mating, a female mantid bites off the where is the biologist? What is her name? head of the male. After mating, she then con- Into the lodge lobby Patty soon came decked sumes his body. out with equipment to help all the same. Away to the ceiling the bird flew in a flash, Patty’s net was ready, but the swift made a dash. Patty followed in haste; the crowd cheered her on; up the ladder she went, but the swift was soon gone. One final try she did make, the bird did not flinch. All the while wondering, “Who is this green grinch?” In gentle hands resting, the swift now re- posed, hoping for freedom to be exposed. "Hands open! No confinement, I think I can leave! I flap wings! I rise up! I twitter and heave. I have learned my lesson and this statement is “In gentle hands resting, the swift now re- true, posed.” Fly UP the chimney and not DOWN the flue.” Volume 17, Issue 1 Page 15

Service in Residence By Jackie Turner; Photo by Jackie Turner and Jeff Hugo tion list once capacity was reached, a park safety meas- ure to allow all visitors to social distance. We had Cary and his wife, Mavis, until mid-June. They left to go to their next site, a paid position in Georgia managing an outdoor recreational facility.

Tracy and Aaron were always attending to any needed maintenance or lawn care. Tracy and Aaron continued their service until the end of August.

August brought Bob and Dee Green back to the park, who are serving as EF and always find ways to contribute. In addition, they supervised the Friends Road Cleanup for Coastal Cleanup and helped with National Public Lands Day at Cherokee Sink.

Clockwise from upper left: Terri Malloy, Tracy and Aa- ron Brown, Ken McClure, Bob and Dee Green. November brought Ken McClure, and first-time volunteer, Terri Malloy. They This year has been unusual mainder of the closure. It was a are serving in the Ranger year for resident volunteers. challenge for them not to volun- Station, welcoming visitors Theresa Forrey, Cary LaBounty teer, as they truly enjoyed work- as the first face of the park. and Tracy and Aaron Brown ing with park rangers to help the Bob and Dee will be leaving were on site when the park shut park. in early December and Ken down. They decided to stay in and Terri at the end of Feb- place at beautiful Wakulla When the park reopened in May, ruary. Springs State Park. Theresa needed to head home to Tennessee. Cary, Tracy and Ar- New volunteers, Elizabeth Initially, they were allowed to ron returned to service and to- and Larry Millwood, will assist park rangers, who had gether covered the EF position start in January serving as turned their focus on park every day, which allowed rangers EF. Pamela McDavid will maintenance and repairs. After to work elsewhere in the park. return in January and will be further consideration, the Flor- helping with the online vol- ida Park Service decided that it Cary also helped rangers track unteer system. would be best for resident vol- the number of visitors on the unteers not to work for the re- beach and maintain the reserva- Volume 17, Issue 1 Page 16

Service in Residence By Jackie Turner; Photo by Jackie Turner and Jeff Hugo

We have had and continue to have resident volunteers, who make a difference. They supplement park staffing needs, which allows park rangers to focus their attention elsewhere. In addition to their regular duties (opening and closing the park, collecting entrance fees, giving boat tours and keeping facilities clean) park rangers also need to repair recreational access structures (boardwalks, swimming platforms, and boats), maintain and repair park buildings, and assist with resource management (prescribed burn program, wildlife surveys, invasive plant control, and trail maintenance). Taking care of the daily needs of a park is a group effort. At Wakulla Springs State Park, it is accomplished with a great park ranger team and generous support of volunteers in residence.

In Memoriam—Cary LaBounty By Jackie Turner We have lost a member of the Wakulla Springs family. Resident Volunteer, Cary LaBounty, passed away on Oc- tober 14, 2020. Cary was a kind and generous man, and we were fortunate to have him as part of our family.

Cary covered Early Field (EF) position and helped open the park for his 20-hour weekly commitment to the park.

In addition to his regular duties, he was always willing to lend a hand to a ranger in need. We will miss having him in the park next spring.

Our hearts go out to his wife of 50 years, Mavis, and his children and grandchildren.

A tree will be planted in his honor on the picnic grounds, as part of a park effort to ensure beautiful trees around the lodge for years to come. Cary will be a part of that future.

“You are what you do, not what you say you'll do.” Cary LaBounty is lending a helping hand installing a park sign. Carl Gustav Jung Volume 17, Issue 1 Page 17

Resource Management News and Notes By Patty Wilbur ; Photos by Patty Wilbur to do field work, or just get Chinese wisteria, Chinese out and explore the woods. privet, Japanese climbing But there was much to be fern, and air potato in some done even before the weath- of our most problematic in- er cooled off. I spent a great festation areas. deal of time in the field in late summer/early fall. It’s a I also spent plenty of time es- wonderful time to seek out tablishing photo points on and treat exotic invasive our River Sinks and Turner plants, as you want to hit Sinks parcels. It was im- them before they go dormant portant to document how for the winter. they looked this summer, as we have begun a timber thin- It’s a big job, so we need to ning and restoration project start well before the weather in these areas this fall. cools in order to treat as much as possible. Park vol- We had hoped to begin this unteers Pete and Pam Scalco process over a year ago, but did some great work treating Hurricane Michael delayed it. Chinese Tallow and other This spring we put the project pests on the Ferrell Tract. I out to bid. Unfortunately, was also grateful to have the this happened right as the help of Park Services Spe- lockdown began, so it had to cialist Chris Wilson of wait a bit longer. This will be Maclay Gardens State Park. a multi-year resource restora- He and AmeriCorps mem- tion project, so it’s exciting to bers Josh Chan and Josh finally move forward! Rowe helped me for three days in October. We tackled The River Sinks and Turner

Check out the giant air potato root that AmeriCorps member Josh Rowe dug up!

The summer has passed, and au- tumn is finally here! It’s my favor- ite time of year at Wakulla Springs. The heat and humidity release their hold on us, and the mosqui- This is the beginning of the restoration project at toes and ticks give us a much- River Sinks. This cleared patch will be replanted in needed break. It’s a fantastic time longleaf pine and wiregrass. Volume 17, Issue 1 Page 18

Resource Management News and Notes By Patty Wilbur ; Photos by Patty Wilbur

We’ve got another project happening this fall. Contractors from Redhills Landworks are currently on the Ferrell Tract. They are widen- ing and mowing our fire lines and disking them in places. They will also be installing new fire lines in a few areas. All this effort will aid in maintaining access throughout the property. It will also help ensure that our fire lines will hold when we begin conducting prescribed burns there.

Park Ranger Steven Urling and I spotted this old box turtle We’ve also begun to while clearing storm debris on the Hammock Loop Trail. mow the roads and trim the trails in the main ar- Sinks parcels are areas of planted raked and leveled. This is neces- ea of the park recently. loblolly pine that were formerly sary for the reintroduction of na- A big thanks goes to St. Joe Timber Company Land. tive longleaf pines and wiregrass Ranger Phil Pouliot for While the forest here has done a in these areas. This will begin a mowing our roads and good job of protecting many sink- transition to a more diverse and trails on the north side holes feeding Wakulla Spring, it natural forest and will improve of the river! It makes lacks habitat diversity. wildlife habitat for species such for a much nicer hike up as deer, turkey, quail, gopher tor- there. I mowed the Over time the trees in these areas toise and Southeastern fox squir- roads in the sanctuary have become crowded, making rel. Areas around the sinks will last week, and plan to them susceptible to pests like be buffered to protect them from disk them soon. southern pine beetles. A few harm during this process. small patches had already suc- I’m anxious to get them cumbed to beetle attacks. The The timber crew has begun work- ready for what I hope shady loblolly forest is also diffi- ing in the southeastern quadrant will be an active burn cult to burn at any time other than of River Sinks. To protect the season. We’re looking winter. The lack of intense fire public from injury while the to burn nine zones this has led to thick shrub growth in heavy equipment is in operation, year, though there are the understory. our hiking trail at River Sinks is additional areas on the temporarily closed. It will re- Ferrell tract and in the The restoration project will con- open when the crew moves their park proper that we’d sist of timber thinning on approx- equipment into another area. like to burn as well. imately 703 acres. On 187 addi- Eventually, visitors at River Sinks tional acres, the loblolly pines will will be able to enjoy a prettier There’s always more be clear cut, the stumps will be hike, with more wildflowers and that can be done! removed, and the site will be greater chances to spot wildlife. MISSION: To provide resource-based recreation while preserving, interpreting, and restoring natural and cultural resources

Joe’s Tree by Jeff Hugo Photo by John Melton Page 19

ed his strength. He was Photo by Bob Thompson among the petitioners in Wakulla Springs State Park 2006 to request denial 465 Wakulla Park Drive of the City of Tallahas- Wakulla Springs, FL 32327 see’s permit to continue Phone: 850-561-7276 the operation of its Southeastern Spray Upcoming Events! field. His efforts led to major facility upgrades The safety of our vis- to reduce nitrogen out- itors, staff, and vol- put, which in turn re- unteers is a top pri- duced the nitrogen level at Wakulla Spring. ority at Wakulla

Springs State Park. On September 11, park staff planted “Joe’s As part of ongoing Tree” near the walkway statewide efforts to leading to the Water- prevent the spread front Visitor’s Center. It of COVID-19, some is a red oak. Like Joe, it park procedures and is a formidable tree. It activities have been should persist for many, modified or suspend- many years. ed. It has no plaque. I don’t know that it needs one. Visitors will find I don’t know that Joe measures in place to would want one. Those reduce density to who contributed to his promote everyone’s memorial and those safety. who knew and loved Jackie Turner stands next to Joe’s Tree. him will know Joe’s Currently, River Tree. It’s the strong one Boat Tours are by It was early August when Wakulla Springs lost a with the muse — some- “Lifetime” Friend. Joe Glisson was also the reservation only. times in person but husband to his beloved wife Jackie Turner. He most often in spirit. Is- Reservations can be lost his life to his long-term struggle with health made online at n’t that how muses do challenges. He put up quite a fight. their best work? TheLodgeatWakulla Springs.com or by No one knows that better than Jackie. She was

calling 850-421-2000. his partner, not only in his health struggles, but

in the many battles they fought together to safe- body.

If you have any ques- guard the environment. his consumes then she

tions, please feel free mating, After male. the

to contact us at (850) Joe was a formidable warrior for the environ- of head the off bites tid

ment. He possessed intelligence, wisdom, and man- female a mating,

During During 561-7276. False: times

persistence. He also had Jackie as his muse. His opponents were often undone by their fail- some- is statement This ure to recognize his skills as they underestimat-